Representatives from civil society, religious groups, government agencies, and development organizations have urged the Federal Government to promptly enforce the Supreme Court’s pivotal ruling on local government autonomy. They emphasized that this move is essential for revitalizing grassroots governance and propelling the country’s overall progress.
This appeal was voiced during the National Dialogue Forum themed “Local Government Autonomy: Making It Work,” hosted by the Change We Need Nigeria Initiative in Abuja.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Sam Amadi, Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, provided a historical overview of the development of local government structures in Nigeria.
He expressed deep concern over the current state of local governments, describing them as “effectively defunct” in many regions.
“Local governments across Nigeria have been reduced to symbolic entities. In numerous states, local officials are not elected but appointed by state governors, which contradicts both the spirit and the letter of the Constitution,” Amadi explained.
He stressed that any local government lacking democratic election cannot be considered legitimate under the law, and hailed the Supreme Court’s recent decision as a necessary corrective measure to restore democracy at the grassroots level.
Nonetheless, Amadi highlighted potential constitutional conflicts, pointing out that while the ruling resonates with public opinion, it may clash with certain clauses in the 1999 Constitution.
He advocated for constitutional amendments to align the legal framework with the Supreme Court’s directive.
Sharing her firsthand experience, Esther Audu, former chairperson of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), emphasized the importance of community involvement and inclusive governance.
“Effective governance requires dedicated individuals who truly understand and prioritize their communities’ needs. Citizens must hold their councillors accountable, and councillors, in turn, must maintain open communication with their chairpersons. This dynamic fosters responsive leadership,” she noted.
Audu recounted her visits to various wards where she encountered critical challenges such as inadequate access to clean water and students attending classes outdoors. She commended the media for spotlighting these issues, which spurred government action.
Dr. Cosmas Ilechukwu, General Overseer of the Charismatic Renewal Ministries (CRM), described the Supreme Court’s verdict as a transformative milestone that could reshape governance in Nigeria-provided there is genuine political commitment.
“Local governments are the tier of government that directly affects every citizen. Getting governance right at this level will yield immediate and far-reaching benefits,” he asserted.
He supported calls for an independent electoral commission, like INEC, to oversee local government elections, criticizing state electoral bodies for being susceptible to gubernatorial influence.
“True democracy cannot exist when governors dictate the outcomes of all chairmanship elections. That is not democracy; it is manipulation,” Ilechukwu added.
Kolawole Banwo, Head of Advocacy, Policy, and Communications at WaterAid Nigeria, pointed out inconsistencies within the current legal provisions governing local governments.
“The Constitution simultaneously acknowledges local governments as a distinct tier of government while subjecting them to state assembly control and linking their finances to the Joint Local Government Account, which undermines their autonomy,” he explained.
Banwo called for the elimination of the joint account system and urged constitutional reforms to ensure “independent funding, secure tenure for elected officials, and the conduct of free and fair elections.”
He also introduced an innovative accountability proposal whereby the runner-up in local elections would serve as a “chairman-in-waiting,” coupled with a mid-term referendum to assess the incumbent chairman’s performance.
“This approach would motivate leaders to remain accountable and deliver results,” he concluded.
